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Genome analysis of the platypus reveals unique signatures of evolution

Authors
Wesley Warren,LaDeana Hillier
Jennifer Graves,Ewan Birney,Chris Ponting,Frank Grützner,Katherine Belov,Wolfgang Miller,Laura Clarke,Asif Chinwalla,Suping Yang,Andreas Heger,Devin Locke,Pat Miethke,Paul Waters,Frédéric Veyrunes,Lucinda Fulton,Bob Fulton,Tina Graves,John Wallis,Xosé Puente,Carlos López‐Otín,Gonzalo Ordóñez,Evan Eichler,L Chen,Cheng Zhang,Janine Deakin,Amber Alsop,Katherine Thompson,Patrick Kirby,Anthony Papenfuss,Matthew Wakefield,Tsviya Olender,Doron Lancet,Gavin Huttley,A.F.A. Smit,Andrew Pask,Peter Temple‐Smith,Mark Batzer,Jerilyn Walker,Miriam Konkel,Robert Harris,Camilla Whittington,Emily Wong,Neil Gemmell,Emmanuel Buschiazzo,Iris Jentzsch,Angelika Merkel,Jürgen Schmitz,Anja Zemann,Gennady Churakov,Jan Kriegs,Jürgen Brosius,Elizabeth Murchison,Ravi Sachidanandam,Colin Smith,Gregory Hannon,Enkhjargal Tsend‐Ayush,Dougald McMillan,Rosalind Attenborough,Willem Rens,M.A. Ferguson‐Smith,Christophe Lefèvre,Julie Sharp,Kevin Nicholas,David Ray,M. Kube,Richard Reinhardt,Thomas Pringle,James Taylor,Russell Jones,Brett Nixon,Jean-Louis Dacheux,Hitoshi Niwa,Yoichi Sekita,Xiaofeng Huang,Alexander Stark,Pouya Kheradpour,M. Kellis,Paul Flicek,Y. Chen,Caleb Webber,Ross Hardison,Joanne Nelson,Kym Hallsworth-Pepin,Kimberly Delehaunty,Čedomir Marković,Patrick Minx,Yunzi Feng,Colin Kremitzki,Makedonka Mitreva,Jarret Glasscock,Todd Wylie,Patricia Wohldmann,Prathapan Thiru,Michael Nhan,Craig Pohl,Scott Smith,Shuisheng Hou,Marilyn Renfree,Elaine Mardis,Richard Wilson,Malcolm Ferguson‐Smith
+101 authors
,R Hardison
Journal
Published
May 1, 2008
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Abstract

We present a draft genome sequence of the platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus. This monotreme exhibits a fascinating combination of reptilian and mammalian characters. For example, platypuses have a coat of fur adapted to an aquatic lifestyle; platypus females lactate, yet lay eggs; and males are equipped with venom similar to that of reptiles. Analysis of the first monotreme genome aligned these features with genetic innovations. We find that reptile and platypus venom proteins have been co-opted independently from the same gene families; milk protein genes are conserved despite platypuses laying eggs; and immune gene family expansions are directly related to platypus biology. Expansions of protein, non-protein-coding RNA and microRNA families, as well as repeat elements, are identified. Sequencing of this genome now provides a valuable resource for deep mammalian comparative analyses, as well as for monotreme biology and conservation. The duck-billed platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is a unique egg-laying mammal, with lactation, venom and a bill. It even has an electro­sensory system for foraging underwater. Platypuses are monotremes descended from the most basal branch of the mammalian lineage and combine aspects of both reptilian and mammalian biology. Now an international consortium reports the sequence and analysis of the platypus genome. It is an amalgam of reptilian, mammalian and its own unique characteristics that provides clues to the function and evolution of all mammalian genomes. As well as helping uncover the origins of genomic imprinting, analyses show that platypus and reptile venom proteins have been co-opted independently from the same gene families; milk protein genes are conserved; and immune gene family expansions are directly related to platypus biology. The sequence provides an invaluable resource for comparative genomics, and it will be important for monotreme conservation. The cover image shows the bill with electro­sensory pits, eye and ear opening behind the eye. Platypuses are monotremes and combine aspects of both reptilian and mammalian behaviour. An international consortium reports the genome sequence and analysis of Ornithorhynchus anatinus and as expected, parts of the genome look more like mammals, whereas other parts more like reptiles or even chickens.

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